Listen to Litton's song "In Peace" and his other music

There's a piece to the puzzle that's missing in action/Peace is missing from the puzzle and here's my reaction.

When 18-year-old Dakota Litton wrote those words for a hip-hop song about peace, he didn't think they were all that great.

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Chip Ellis

Hurricane High senior Dakota Litton won a national arts award for a hip-hop song he wrote about peace. He spends much of his free time writing music and hopes to become a music producer.

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The song, called "In Peace" recently tied for first place in a music category in the contest.  

Litton said he spends most of his free time writing music, hanging out with his girlfriend and friends, and running track. He rarely watches television because he thinks it's a waste of time.

Usually, he writes more lighthearted music, such as dance songs, he said.

"I just like to have fun," he said. "I don't like to be negative."

He has kept up that positive attitude in spite of a difficult family life. His mother couldn't raise him because of a drug problem, he said. He hasn't seen her in about nine years. He has never met his dad.

He credits his grandfather for spurring his music passion. He was a disc jockey, and Litton became fascinated with his music equipment when he was about 4 years old.

 Listen to Litton's song "In Peace" and his other music

There's a piece to the puzzle that's missing in action/Peace is missing from the puzzle and here's my reaction.

When 18-year-old Dakota Litton wrote those words for a hip-hop song about peace, he didn't think they were all that great.

But Litton's teacher at Hurricane High, Jennifer Weddington, encouraged him to enter the song in the "What About Peace?" contest, a national arts competition that encourages teens to express their thoughts on peace.

The song, called "In Peace" recently tied for first place in a music category in the contest.  

Litton said he spends most of his free time writing music, hanging out with his girlfriend and friends, and running track. He rarely watches television because he thinks it's a waste of time.

Usually, he writes more lighthearted music, such as dance songs, he said.

"I just like to have fun," he said. "I don't like to be negative."

He has kept up that positive attitude in spite of a difficult family life. His mother couldn't raise him because of a drug problem, he said. He hasn't seen her in about nine years. He has never met his dad.

He credits his grandfather for spurring his music passion. He was a disc jockey, and Litton became fascinated with his music equipment when he was about 4 years old.

Now, "music inspires me every time I listen to it," he said, pointing to Lupe Fiasco, Eminem and Ludacris as his favorite artists.

Litton's song touches on the Iraq war, racism against immigrants and his belief that all people are created equal.

When he writes music, he wants to make people understand him, he said. In writing "In Peace," he hoped people would realize that "what they're going though might not be as bad as they think it is."

"Some people need a reality check," he said.

Many teachers at Hurricane have recognized great potential in Litton, said Weddington, who teaches English and media.

This school year, he was named "Most Valuable Redskin," for his overall personality and contributions to the school. 

Weddington described Litton as talented, friendly, and full of school spirit: "He just loves this place." 

He plans to attend Concord University and launch a career in music production. 

"I want to help people. I don't care if I don't find a cure for cancer," he said. "I want to help people whether it's through music producing, rapping or whatever I do."

To contact staff writer Alison Knezevich, use e-mail or call 348-1240.